Auxiliary cabinet for computer console

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary cabinet which fits into the space between a computer console and the usual desk beneath same, has a hinged front and side walls dimensioned to engage the sides of the console. The cabinet makes it possible to use the space between the console and the desk for storage of small accessories to be used with the computer as well as writing instruments and signs of various types.

United States Patent Boris et al.

1 1 AUXILIARY CABINET FOR COMPUTER CONSOLE Inventors: Sam Boris,Kingston; Larry R. Nye, Woodstock, both of NY.

Assignee: Data Processing Aids, Inc., Ulster Park, NY.

Filed: Sept. 26, 1973 Appl. No.: 400,761

US. Cl 312/198, 108/26, 312/223, 312/352 Int. Cl A47b 53/00 Field ofSearch 312/196, 352, 242, 100, 312/223, 101, 198, 293, 257 R, 328, 257SK, 257 SM, 294; 235/7 R, 61 R; 220/17.l; 40/336; 281/15 ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1958 Wells et a1. 312/279 X PrimaryExaminer-James T. McCall Attorney, Agent, or FirmBlum Moscovitz Friedman& Kaplan ABSTRACT An auxiliary cabinet which fits into the space betweena computer console and the usual desk beneath same, has a hinged frontand side walls dimensioned to engage the sides of the console. Thecabinet makes it possible to use the space between the console and thedesk for storage of small accessories to be used with the computer aswell as writing instruments and signs of various types.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures llliL I PmENitustPmzam SHEEI 101 2PATENTEDSEPZMSH SHE 20$ 2 CIDUUDEI AUXILIARY CABINET FOR COMPUTERCONSOLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is frequent if not generalpractice to mount a computer console above a desk at which the computeroperator may be seated. In order to avoid possible interference betweenthe bottom of the console and the top of the desk clearance of upwardsof two inches is usually provided between the bottom of the console andthe top surface of the desk.

As would be expected, the computer operator will have need for storagespace in which to keep files, records, correspondence and other itemsfor which the desk drawers will be suitable. In addition, the operatorwill need space for small items such as paper clips, pencils, etc.,which should be immediately available to him.

A number of types of so-called desk-organizers are available on themarket, but these have not been designed with a view to utilizing spacewhich is restricted with respect to. the vertical dimension as is thecase where a computer console is mounted over a desk. Consequently, sofar as such devices are concerned, the space between the computerconsole and the desk is unusable. The present invention is designed tomake maximum utilization of this space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cabinet has side walls, a back wall, a bottomwall and a front wall which is hinged proximate the bottom to the bottomwall. The back wall is of such a height that the cabinet when placed ona desk will fit beneath the bottom of a computer console mounted abovethe desk. The side walls are spaced apart by a distance corresponding tothe width of the console and are high enough to engage the sides of theconsole when the cabinet is slid under the computer console. The frontwall of the cabinet is mounted at an angle corresponding to the bottomportion of the front of the console so that when the cabinet is in placethe front of the cabinet appears to be a continuation of the bottomportion of the computer console. The cabinet may be divided up intocompartments by walls parallel to the side walls and the front wall isdivided up into sections corresponding in width to the width of thecompartments in the cabinet. The front wall is provided with one or morelatches designed to engage the console by means of the space generallyprovided behind the front wall of the console.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cabinetwhich makes it possible to utilize the space between a desk and acomputer console mounted above said desk.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet forholding small articles and accessories which may be used in theoperation of a computer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet whichcan hold a number of signs useful for indicating the state of thecomputer.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties, and the relation of elements which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a fuller understanding of theinvention, reference is had to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cabinet in accordance with the presentinvention in engagement with a computer console mounted over a desk andshowing in phantom said cabinet prior to positioning beneath saidconsole;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of said cabinet with the front wall in openposition;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the cabinet in accordance with the presentinvention prior to engagement with a computer console;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cabinet in position beneath a console;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A cabinet in accordance with thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is indicated generally by thereference numeral 11. As is indicated, cabinet 11 rests on desk top 12beneath the bottom of computer console 13. The cabinet has side walls 14which are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width ofcomputer console 13. Moreover, side walls 14 are high enough to engagethe side walls of computer console 13 when the cabinet is positionedbeneath same. Back wall 15 is of such a height that it can slide beneaththe bottom of console 13.

Front wall 17 is joined to bottom wall 18 .by means of hinge 19.

It is common practice to provide a space immediately behind the bottomof the front wall of the console. This is the case with the IBMcomputer. This space can con-' veniently be used for latching front wall17 in closed position. In the example shown, latch 21 is of the rotarytype having a finger 22 which can be moved into the space behind thefront wall of computer console 13 to hold the front wall 17 in closedposition.

The cabinet can be fitted up in a variety of ways to fit the convenienceof the user. In the example shown in FIG. 2 front wall 17 is dividedinto three sections as is the interior of the cabinet. In thisparticular example the interior of the cabinet is divided by two walls23 into three sections. The middle section is sized to hold a clockwhich can be viewed through a transparent portion 26 of front wall 17.Preferably, all three front portions 17 are transparent, but they neednot be so where it is desired to keep the contents of the cabinet fromgeneral view. The separate portions of front wall 17 are independentlyhinged.

Additional compartments may be formed exterior to side walls 14 by useof suitably bent sheet metal sections 27, bonded to side walls 14 aswith screws or by spot welding. Conveniently, extensions 28 may be madepart of sheet metal sections 27 with the objective of closing off thatpart of the space underneath the console which cannot readily be reachedby a hand inserted beneath the console.

FIG. 3 indicates the relative positions of side walls 14 and the sidewalls of the computer console 13. Movement of the cabinet in thedirection indicated by the arrow brings the cabinet into positionbetween the console and the desk. It is desirable that the length ofextensions 28 be such that when the cabinet is pushed far enough underthe console 13 so that the extensions make contact with back wall 31 onwhich the console is mounted, front wall 17 will be flush with the frontwall of computer console 13 so that catch 21 may engage same (FIG.

The way in which cards or other items are held in compartments 29 formedby sheet metal sections 27 is shown in FIG. 6.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above article without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What we claim is:

l. A cabinet for use with a computer console mounted over a desk, wherethere is a gap between the bottom of said console and an open spacebehind the front face of said console at the bottom thereof, saidcabinet comprising a bottom wall, an essentially vertical back wall of aheight such that said compartment can fit with clearance between thebottom of said console and the top of said desk, side walls at eitherend of said bottom walls, the inside distance between said side wallsbeing essentially equal to the width of said console and the height ofsaid side walls being sufficient to engage the side walls of saidconsole when said cabinet is in place below said console, and a frontwall hinged proximate the bottom thereof for opening outwardly, therebymaking the interior of said cabinet accessible.

2. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein the front wall in closed position, isparallel to the bottom portion of the front wall of the console.

3. Thecabinet as defined in claim 1 wherein said front wall has latchmeans mounted thereon, said latch means being adapted to fit into saidgap behind said front wall of said console when said cabinet is inposition beneath said console, thereby holding said front wall in closedposition.

4. The cabinet as defined in claim 1 wherein there is at least one wallparallel to and intermediate said side walls, dividing said cabinet intoa plurality of compart' ments.

5. The cabinet as defined in claim 4 wherein said front wall is dividedinto a plurality of sections each corresponding in length and positionto a compartment in the interior of said cabinet, each section of saidfront wall being independently hinged and having at least one latchthereon by means of which each section may independently be locked inclosed position.

6. The cabinet as defined in claim 4 wherein there are two wallsparallel to said side walls and intermediate said side walls, saidcabinet further comprising a clock occupying the space between said twointermediate walls, and the section of said front wall corresponding tothe compartment between said two intermediate walls being transparent.

7. The cabinet as defined in claim 5 wherein all sections of said frontwall of said cabinet are transparent.

face of at least one of said side walls.

=l =l =l=

1. A cabinet for use with a computer console mounted over a desk, wherethere is a gap between the bottom of said console and an open spacebehind the front face of said console at the bottom thereof, saidcabinet comprising a bottom wall, an essentially vertical back wall of aheight such that said compartment can fit with clearance between thebottom of said console and the top of said desk, side walls at eitherend of said bottom walls, the inside distance between said side wallsbeing essentially equal to the width of said console and the height ofsaid side walls being sufficient to engage the side walls of saidconsole when said cabinet is in place below said console, and a frontwall hinged proximate the bottom thereof for opening outwardly, therebymaking the interior of said cabinet accessible.
 2. The cabinet of claim1 wherein the front wall in closed position, is parallel to the bottomportion of the front wall of the console.
 3. The cabinet as defined inclaim 1 wherein said front wall has latch means mounted thereon, saidlatch means being adapted to fit into said gap behind said front wall ofsaid console when said cabinet is in position beneath said console,thereby holding said front wall in closed position.
 4. The cabinet asdefined in claim 1 wherein there is at least one wall parallel to andintermediate said side walls, dividing said cabinet into a plurality ofcompartments.
 5. The cabinet as defined in claim 4 wherein said frontwall is divided into a plurality of sections each corresponding inlength and position to a compartment in the interior of said cabinet,each section of said front wall being independently hinged and having atleast one latch thereon by means of which each section may independentlybe locked in closed position.
 6. The cabinet as defined in claim 4wherein there are two walls parallel to said side walls and intermediatesaid side walls, said cabinet further comprising a clock occupying thespace between said two intermediate walls, and the section of said frontwall corresponding to the compartment between said two intermediatewalls being transparent.
 7. The cabinet as defined in claim 5 whereinall sections of said front wall of said cabinet are transparent.
 8. Thecabinet as defined in claim 1 wherein a compartment open at the top ismounted on the exterior face of at least one of said side walls.